A good pair of fishing pliers may look like a small detail in your tackle, but on the bank you quickly notice how important it is. A hook set deep, a treble stuck in an awkward and unsafe position, a split ring that needs replacing or braided line that needs a clean cut: without the right tool, these jobs become slow, clumsy and sometimes unsafe.
The pliers you need depend on how you fish. A predator angler needs different tools from someone who mainly fishes for coarse fish, carp or small perch lures. In this guide we explain when to choose unhooking pliers, hook cutters, split ring pliers, fishing scissors or crimping pliers. To compare straight away, browse Pliers, Scissors and Tools.
Why good fishing pliers are essential
Fishing means working with sharp hooks, trebles, lines and sometimes sharp teeth. Especially in predator fishing, pliers are not a luxury: they are basic kit. Long unhooking pliers keep your fingers away from a pike or zander's mouth. Hook cutters can cut through a hook or treble when safe unhooking is not possible. Scissors give clean knots and leaders. Split ring pliers let you replace hooks quickly without damaging your fingers or nails.
Good tools also help the fish. The faster and calmer you can unhook it, the less time it spends out of the water. Combine your pliers with a suitable landing net, a wet unhooking mat and the right hooks or trebles.
Which tool do you need?
| Tool | Use | Especially useful for | Main advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unhooking pliers | Removing hooks safely | Pike, zander, perch, trout | More distance from teeth and trebles |
| Hook cutters | Cutting trebles, hooks or wire | Predator fishing and emergencies | Faster and safer than forcing it |
| Split ring pliers | Changing hooks and trebles on lures | Lure anglers | No fiddling with split rings |
| Fishing scissors | Cutting line, braid and leader material | All types of fishing | Neat knots and clean tag ends |
| Crimping pliers | Crimping sleeves on wire or heavy leaders | Making traces and leaders | Strong, professional connections |
For a first set, this is usually enough: long unhooking pliers, sharp hook cutters and good fishing scissors. If you fish a lot with lures, add fishing pliers or split ring pliers. If you make your own traces and leaders, also look at crimping pliers.
Choosing unhooking pliers: length and shape
The length of your unhooking pliers depends on the species. For small perch, trout or coarse fish, compact pliers are often enough. For pike, large zander or deadbaiting you want a longer pair. A pike can take a large lure deep, and you do not want your fingers close to teeth and trebles.
| Pliers length | Best for | Advice |
|---|---|---|
| 12 to 15 cm | Perch, trout, small hooks | Compact and handy for light fishing |
| 18 to 22 cm | All-round predators and zander | Good balance between control and reach |
| 25 to 30 cm | Pike, large lures, deadbaiting | Safer with deep hooks and big mouths |
A straight nose gives direct grip. A curved nose is useful when you need to take the hook from the side or work at a slightly awkward angle. Many predator anglers eventually carry both. Products such as the Rapala Fisherman's 11 inch Pliers, Westin Unhooking Pliers 29cm and Rapala Super Stainless Steel Pliers fit this job well.
Hook cutters: why predator anglers should always carry one
When a fish is deeply hooked, pulling is usually the worst option. You lose time, increase damage and make the situation less safe. With strong hook cutters you can cut through a hook point or treble. That is often quicker and better for the fish. If a treble is stuck in your clothing, net or accidentally in your hand, cutters can also make a real difference.
Look for cutting power, corrosion resistance and grip. A small pair is easy to carry, but it still needs to be strong enough for the hooks you use. If you fish with large pike trebles or strong sea hooks, do not go too light. A tool that only cuts thin wire is not the same as a true hook cutter.
Split ring pliers: small tool, big convenience
Anyone who fishes with lures will eventually deal with split rings. Trebles become blunt, hooks rust or you may deliberately want to fit a different hook size. Split ring pliers open the ring quickly and under control. They save your nails, avoid frustration and make maintenance of lures much easier.
For small lures and perch plugs, fine split ring pliers are comfortable. For large jerkbaits, swimbaits and pike plugs, choose a heavier model with a strong jaw. Good examples are the Rapala Mini Split Ring Pliers, Westin HD Split Ring Pliers and Rapala RCD Mag Spring Splitring Tang.
Fishing scissors: especially important with braided line
Braided line does not cut cleanly with ordinary household scissors. The fibres fray, knots look messy and you lose time. Good fishing scissors or braid scissors cut sharply and cleanly. That helps with leaders, hooklengths, knots and rig work. If you fish a lot with braid, also read our guide to choosing fishing line and the blog about choosing a fishing leader.
A combined tool can be useful when you fish light and compact. Think of the Rapala Pliers and Braid Scissors Combo or the Rapala Split Ring Scissors. For streetfishing or belly boat fishing, such a compact combination is often more practical than three separate tools.
Crimping pliers: for making your own leaders
Do you make your own wire, titanium or heavy fluorocarbon traces? Then a knot alone is not always enough. With sleeves and crimping pliers you make strong connections for swivels, snaps and hooks. This is common in pike fishing, catfish fishing, sea fishing and heavy predator rigs.
Good crimping pliers have several slots for different sleeve diameters. Crimp too hard and you can damage the material; crimp too softly and the connection can slip. Use sleeves that match your leader material and always test the rig by pulling firmly. Browse crimping pliers, sleeves and leader material.
Which tools for each type of fishing?
| Fishing style | Minimum tool set | Extra useful |
|---|---|---|
| Pike fishing | Long unhooking pliers, hook cutters, split ring pliers | Unhooking mat and predator landing net |
| Perch and zander | Medium pliers, braid scissors | Fine split ring pliers for small plugs |
| Carp fishing | Scissors, boilie needle, small pliers | Crimping pliers for special leaders |
| Coarse fishing | Small scissors and fine pliers | Disgorger or multitool |
| Sea fishing | Corrosion-resistant pliers and strong scissors | Crimping pliers for heavy rigs |
For predator anglers, these tools fit well with practical guides such as predator fishing for beginners, deadbait fishing for pike and belly boat fishing for beginners. If you fish a lot with lures, also browse swivels, clips and split rings.
Material and maintenance
Pliers get wet, dirty and sometimes salty. Prefer stainless steel, aluminium or coated material with a good grip. Rinse tools with fresh water after sea fishing and dry them at home. A drop of oil on the hinge keeps pliers moving smoothly. Also check the cutting edges of your cutters and scissors. Blunt tools are more dangerous than sharp tools because you need more force.
Keep pliers in a fixed place in your bag, not loose among lures and trebles. If you first need to search for them while a fish is on the mat, they are already too late. For smart transport, read our guide to choosing a fishing backpack, tackle bag or waist pack.
Common mistakes
- Fishing for pike with pliers that are too short.
- Not carrying hook cutters when using trebles or large lures.
- Opening split rings with your nails or the point of a knife.
- Cutting braided line with blunt scissors.
- Continuing to use rusty tools after sea fishing.
- Keeping every tool at the bottom of the bag instead of within reach.
Conclusion
The best fishing pliers are the ones that match your fishing and that you can grab quickly when needed. For predator fishing, long unhooking pliers plus hook cutters are the basis. Lure anglers should add split ring pliers. Every angler benefits from sharp line scissors. And if you make your own leaders, good crimping pliers give much more control over the finish.
Browse the full range via Pliers, Scissors and Tools, or go straight to unhooking pliers, hook cutters, fishing scissors, fishing pliers and crimping pliers.